Oral care product and methods of use and manufacture thereof

Abstract

This invention relates to methods of treating early enamel lesions comprising applying an effective amount of a basic amino acid in free or salt form, together with fluoride to a patient in need thereof.

1 . A method of treating early enamel caries comprising:
 applying an effective amount of a dentifrice composition to the oral cavity, the dentifrice composition having a base formulation comprising calcium carbonate, the dentifrice composition further comprising
 arginine, in free or salt form, and 
 an effective amount of a fluoride ion source, wherein the arginine is provided in the amount of from 2 to 10 wt % based on the total weight of the dentifrice composition. 
   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the early enamel caries are detected by quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) or electrical caries monitoring (ECM). 
     
     
         4 . A method to improve the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) or electrical caries monitoring (ECM) value, correlating to early enamel lesions, comprising:
 applying an effective amount of a dentifrice composition to the oral cavity, the dentifrice composition having a base formulation comprising calcium carbonate, the dentifrice composition further comprising
 arginine, in free or salt form, and 
 an effective amount of a fluoride ion source, wherein the arginine is provided in the amount of from 2 to 10 wt % based on the total weight of the dentifrice composition. 
   
     
     
         5 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method to reduce the size of existing early enamel lesions, comprising:
 applying an effective amount of a dentifrice composition to the oral cavity, the dentifrice composition having a base formulation comprising calcium carbonate, the dentifrice composition further comprising
 arginine, in free or salt form, and 
 an effective amount of a fluoride ion source, wherein the arginine is provided in an amount of from 2 to 10 wt % based on the total weight of the dentifrice composition. 
   
     
     
         8 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  which is additionally effective to
 a. inhibit formation of dental caries, 
 b. reduce or inhibit demineralization and promote remineralization of the teeth, 
 c. reduce hypersensitivity of the teeth, 
 d. reduce or inhibit gingivitis, 
 e. promote healing of sores or cuts in the mouth, 
 f. reduce levels of acid producing bacteria, 
 g. increase relative levels of arginolytic bacteria, 
 h. inhibit microbial biofilm formation in the oral cavi 
 i. raise and/or maintain plaque pH at levels of at least about pH 5.5 following sugar challenge, 
 j. reduce plaque accumulation, 
 k. treat, relieve or reduce dry mouth, 
 l. whiten teeth, 
 m. promote systemic health, including cardiovascular health, 
 n. reduce erosion of the teeth, 
 o. immunize or protect the teeth against cariogenic bacteria, 
 p. protect against cavities, and/or 
 q. clean the teeth and oral cavity. 
 
     
     
         12 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluoride ion source is selected from stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluorosilicate, ammonium fluorosilicate, amine fluoride, ammonium fluoride, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dentifrice composition further comprises a potassium ion source. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said potassium ion source is selected from potassium nitrate and potassium chloride. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the fluoride ion source is selected from stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluorosilicate, ammonium fluorosilicate, amine fluoride, ammonium fluoride, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the dentifrice composition further comprises a potassium ion source. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said potassium ion source is selected from potassium nitrate and potassium chloride. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the fluoride ion source is selected from stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluorosilicate, ammonium fluorosilicate, amine fluoride, ammonium fluoride, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the dentifrice composition further comprises a potassium ion source. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said potassium ion source is selected from potassium nitrate and potassium chloride.